Most people have experienced a form of trauma at one point in their life. Trauma can stem from a variety of events and circumstances at any age. These events may include abandonment, bullying, experiencing or witnessing acts of violence, a health diagnosis, and emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Symptoms may include anxiety, depression, destructive behaviors, sleep disturbances, and withdrawal. Psychotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for trauma.
As a certified clinical trauma therapist, I will work with you to help you understand how the trauma has impacted your life, as well as the effect on your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. In therapy you will feel heard and protected as you process your emotions and memories. The goal of trauma focused therapy is to show you that you have control of your life, not your past experience. You are more than your trauma and your narrative can change.
Trauma can stem from a number of events and circumstances at any age. These events may include: abandonment, accidents, crime, health diagnosis, witnessing acts of violence, and emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
Emotional trauma pertains to a person’s thoughts, feelings, and memories related to the traumatic event he or she experienced. These may grow in complexity over time, and symptoms may cause severe distress to the individual.
Researchers aren’t quite sure why certain experiences affect individuals differently or to a greater degree, but some factors can make processing a traumatic event even more difficult. For instance, adverse childhood experiences, exposure to previous trauma, a lack of stability, or simply a genetic disposition can make anyone more vulnerable to the effects of trauma.
Though you may not have not have fully developed PTSD after a traumatic incident, you may still have symptoms of post traumatic stress that are holding you back. Low self worth, self-esteem issues, sleep disorders, and inner guilt or shame can limit your ability to live life to it’s fullest.
Trauma also has a way of letting other health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse, take root in those seemingly small issues. It is not uncommon for your psychotherapist to work in coordination with your doctor who may be prescribing medication. So even if you are functioning at a higher level, understanding where your pain is coming from is crucial for heading off potential problems before they become larger. Therapy is a place where you can tell your story, process your experiences, and find a new way forward.
